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An announcement three months ago that the United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star program was on the budget-cutting chopping block sent shockwaves through several industries—many of which built campaigns around the blue star logo.
Multiple people and organizations have since stepped up to fight for the program. More than 1,000 companies and organizations signed a letter of support. Energy Star partners with glass manufacturing companies to improve energy efficiency in their operations. Its certifications for windows, doors and skylights are crucial for commercial buildings, ensuring products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) reported earlier in August that before the current congressional recess, the House Appropriations Committee advanced its fiscal year 2026 spending bill, including a bipartisan directive that the EPA "maintain level funding of $32 million for the Energy Star program." Around the same time, a nearly unanimous vote in the Senate Appropriations Committee passed a spending bill that earmarked $36 million for the program.
Per USGBC, "by including the provision in the bill text, the Senate version would place a clear and binding legal requirement on the administration to fund the program at that level." The Senate group also included directional report language, which isn't as binding as a bill, but still sends a strong statement, USGBC officials say.
USGBC is just one of many parties with a vested interest in the fate of the Energy Star program. USGBC leadership joined with Alliance to Save Energy to spearhead an industry letter in support of Energy Star, which was signed by more than 1,000 companies and organizations. Meanwhile, a motley group of industry-specific organizations has come together to champion Energy Star representation for different markets.
Grist reports that the National Association of Home Builders and organizations in the manufacturing, consumer goods and technologies, real estate and retail sectors have banded together to protect the Energy Star program.
The collective points out that many industries or localities have regulations for products and their performances based on Energy Star standards. The potential elimination of the program would create a vacuum, leaving those who have built their benchmarks around Energy Star with no viable alternative, the collective suggested.
As Congress returns to work in September, Energy Star's fate remains unclear. USGBC officials suggest that how the larger governing body votes to proceed with funding could leave Energy Star vulnerable. Source
Tariffs, regulatory changes, supply chain disruptions, and an unpredictable economy. Any one of these challenges can make it difficult to manage a business, let alone a seasonal one. We sat down with FTL's President, Todd Grzybinski, to get his perspective on economic uncertainty and how to stay focused on your goals and growth.
"One of the most important challenges," Todd says, "is demand for products. If there is uncertainty in the economy, big purchases are usually put on hold. This could mean consumers choose to repair rather than to replace units."
FTL Finance data shows that many consumers are opting to pay for repairs rather than replacing their units. Over 24 months, through December 2024, applications for equipment finished seven percent below the previous year, but service work applications jumped 37 percent during that same time period. "Whether people are financing a repair or a replacement, offering financing is one way to combat this issue," says Todd.
Most Americans are worried about the U.S. economy, and that drives their behavior. According to the SSRS Economic Attitudes Tracker, 81% of Americans report cutting back on spending. In fact, 67% of Americans across all income brackets, education level, and professions report living paycheck-to-paycheck, so an unexpected expense is not exactly a welcome surprise. Because you never know what a homeowner's financial situation might be, we encourage you to offer financing to all of your clients.
Todd is no stranger to leading a company through economic uncertainty. With over 20 years as President of FTL, he has weathered some storms, like the 2008 recession and COVID-19. We asked him what he learned from those experiences.
"Discipline," says Todd. "Stay disciplined and true to your core business values. Do not change course unless you have the data or experience to maneuver through it."
In terms of changing market conditions, he recommends maintaining a positive cash flow.
"You may want to delay any big expenses or improvements to your facility or equipment that would require lots of cash. Come up with other services that could increase revenue, and if you do not offer financing, find a lender that fits your needs and start offering it."
If you do offer financing, let customers know! Almost 80% of consumers would like to finance part, if not all, of their home improvement projects.
There are several ways to let homeowners know that you offer financing:
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Contractors involved in Michigan's Home Energy Rebate (MiHER) program express a mix of enthusiasm for its potential benefits and awareness of challenges.
Here's a breakdown of contractor perspectives:
Positive Aspects:
Challenges and Concerns:
Overall, MiHER presents a mixed bag for contractors. While the program holds promise for expanding their businesses and promoting energy efficiency, challenges related to workforce development and concerns about code implementation remain.
If you have a MIHER experience you would like to share, please let M.J. know at mjdsmith@miacca.org
Michigan will continue using construction codes setting minimum standards for safety and energy efficiency in new homes that date back a decade while building industry groups mount legal challenges against an updated set of rules originally set to take effect this summer.
In court, officials have agreed to delay implementation of more modern codes while lawsuits filed in June by organizations representing home builders and the modular and mobile home industries play out.
Reason for the Pause:
Current Situation:
Related Article:
The Michigan Propane Commission says that the rebate program has been so popular that adjustments were made to continue it without exhausting the funding.
Effective July 1, 2025:
The Commission discontinued rebates for switching from an old propane unit to a new propane unit.
See additional updates here
The Construction Code - Part 5. Residential Code rules were filed with the Secretary of State on May 1, 2025, and will become effective on August 29, 2025. The rules were adopted by reference to the 2021 edition of the International Residential Code, with amendments, deletions, and additions deemed appropriate for use in Michigan.
The bureau will notify the public when each code's electronic and hard copy versions are available for purchase and update the code book information on our website, which links to the ICC for purchase. Below are some important changes that have been made to the code.
MIACCA will continue to keep you informed on further updates.
2021 Michigan Energy (Residential) Code
The Construction Code - Part 10. Energy (Residential) Code rules were filed with the Secretary of State on May 1, 2025, and will become effective on August 29, 2025. The rules adopted by reference the 2021 edition of the International Uniform Energy Code, with amendments, deletions, and additions deemed appropriate for use in Michigan.
Please reply to this email with any questions and concerns about these changes. As always, MIACCA remains focused on bringing our members the latest industry news while doing our due diligence to protect it.
In 2025, MIACCA Contractors and the HVAC industry will see a major shift towards net-zero emissions and energy efficiency, driven by stricter regulations and the increasing demand for sustainable solutions. This includes transitioning to lower-GWP refrigerants like R-454B and R-32, adopting geothermal heat pumps, and integrating solar-powered HVAC systems. Additionally, the industry will focus on smart technology and AI-powered automation to optimize system performance and reduce energy consumption.
Key Trends and Impacts:
Refrigerant Transition:
The EPA's phasing down of HFCs, particularly R-410A, will mandate the use of alternative refrigerants with lower Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Energy Efficiency:
The focus will be on improving the efficiency of existing HVAC systems and adopting more energy-efficient technologies like geothermal heat pumps.
Sustainable Practices:
The industry will embrace sustainable practices like using renewable energy sources, optimizing building design, and promoting smart home technologies.
Smart Technology and Automation:
AI and automation will play a key role in optimizing system performance, reducing energy consumption, and improving indoor comfort.
Industry Growth and Change:
The HVAC industry is expected to continue growing, with a focus on sustainability and energy efficiency, creating new opportunities for professionals.
For Consumers:
Refrigerant Changes:
If you are planning to replace an HVAC system, be aware of the new refrigerant standards and consider options that use low-GWP refrigerants.
Invest in energy-efficient HVAC systems and consider smart home technologies to optimize energy consumption and reduce your carbon footprint.
Professional Advice:
Consult with a qualified HVAC professional to understand the changes and choose the best solutions for your needs.
The Mechanical Inspectors Association of Michigan
Spring Conference
Thursday and Friday, May 8-9, 2025
Doherty Hotel in Clare, MI
The 2025 MIAM Spring Conference for a two-day session focused on A2L refrigerant equipment.
Registration info can be found here
Our MIACCA Board Member, Mickey McEvoy, will in attendance - say "Hello" and find out why he continues to support us as a loyal member!
MIACCA has attached is it's IRA latest success in providing our members with the qualified product list that we obtained through the field operations manager of MIHER below. We have been diligent in relaying in this matter and will continue to do so, on your behalf.
Here it is: Qualified Product List Air-to-Air Heat Pump for MIHER Rebate
Dear MIACCA:
Attached is the qualified product list. We are working on getting this up onto the contractor portal for you all to have access to. It is not something that is believed to be needed facing the customer/homeowner side of things, as they aren't typically going to be experts in their field to understand the finer details of energy star certifications, SEER ratings, AFUE, and the like.
If you do have a customer who is concerned that they might not get equipment in their home that qualifies, you can share this with them if needed and discuss the way the program works to prevent that from being the case (we do require model numbers for any submission and check against these lists, get geotagged photos to confirm that is what is installed IS what is installed, and even do on site QC checks of the work done to ensure it hits program/customer standards.)
Hopefully this helps!
Aaron Welsh
Field Operations Manager: MiHER
